Report Details The Drugs That Kill In Escambia
December 5, 2010
A recently released report details the drugs that kill in the Escambia County area, using information compiled from autopsies performed by medical examiners across the state from January through June 2010. During that period there were approximately 89,800 deaths in Florida. Of those, 4,150 individuals were found to have died with one or more of the drugs specified in this report in their bodies.
“In order for a death to be considered ‘drug-related’ there must be at least one drug identified in the decedent, which is a drug occurrence,” according to the report.
The results are from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and the Florida Medical Examiners Commission Report on Drugs Identified in Deceased Persons.
In the region served by the Pensacola Medical Examiners Office, there were 69 deaths recorded of persons with the drugs in their system during the first half of the year.
Drugs and the numbers of deaths are detailed below.
Alprazolam Deaths — 15
A drug used to treat anxiety disorders and panic attacks. Common brand name Xanex.
Diazepam Deaths — 6
A family of sedative-hypnotic drugs indicated for the treatment of stress, anxiety, seizures and alcohol withdrawal. Benzodiazepines are often referred to as “minor tranquilizers.” Xanax (Alprazolam) and Valium (Diazepam) are the most commonly prescribed drugs in this drug class.
Oxycodone Deaths — 7
A narcotic analgesic (pain killer). OxyContin is one form of this drug and goes by the street name “OC”. Percocet, Percodan, Roxicet, Tylox, and Roxicodone also contain Oxycodone.
Hydrocodone Deaths — 13
A narcotic analgesic (pain killer). Vicodin and Lortab are two common drugs containing hydrocodone.
Methadone Deaths — 15
Methadone – A synthetic narcotic analgesic (pain killer) commonly associated with Heroin detoxification and maintenance programs but it is also prescribed to treat severe pain. It has been increasingly prescribed in place of oxycodone for pain management. Dolophine is one form of methadone.
Morphine Deaths — 4
Morphine – A narcotic analgesic (pain killer) used to treat moderate to severe pain. MS (Morphine Sulfate), Kadian, and MS-Contin are the tablet forms, Roxanol is the liquid form.
Propoxyphene Deaths — 1
A synthetic narcotic analgesic (pain killer) used for mild to moderate pain. A chemical cousin to methadone, it is marketed under the trade name Darvon and Darvocet when mixed with acetaminophen.
Cocaine Deaths — 8
An illicit stimulant. Powdered cocaine goes by many street names including “C”, “blow”, “snow” and “nose candy”, while freebase cocaine is mostly commonly known as “crack.”
Atmore Christmas Parade Photo Gallery, Video
December 5, 2010
The annual Atmore Twilight Christmas Parade rolled through Atmore Saturday night before a crowd of hundreds. The “”All Creatures Great and Small . Celebrate One and All” themed parade featured lighted floats, several bands, community groups, churches and school groups from across the area.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the parade, click here. For a video, click below.
The float from Atmore Community Hospital won first place.
Pictured top: The “Three Little Pigs” float travels down Main Street during the annual Atmore Twilight Christmas parade Saturday night. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Molino Christmas Parade Photo Gallery, Video
December 5, 2010
The annual Molino Christmas Parade was held Saturday afternoon on Crabbtree Church Road. After the parade, Santa Claus met with lots of good boys and girls at the Molino Ballpark.
Sponsored by the Molino Recreation Association, proceeds from the parade are used to benefit needy children in the Molino area during the Christmas season.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the parade, click here. For a video, click below.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Gospel Singing Benefits Bratt Youth Group
December 5, 2010
The First Baptist Church of Bratt held a Gaither Homecoming style Gospel Singing Saturday evening. Local talent from the Bratt community presented a variety of Southern gospel and Christmas music. The event benefited the church youth in their efforts to attend a January Bible conference. Submitted photos by Wayne Holland for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Have news or photos to share from your church? Email your information to news@northescambia.com
Cold Nights, Lows In The 20’s
December 5, 2010
We are in for much colder the next few days lows reaching into the 20’s.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 27. North wind around 5 mph.
- Monday: Sunny, with a high near 51. Wind chill values between 20 and 30 early. North wind between 5 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
- Monday Night: Clear, with a low around 24. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 53. Wind chill values between 20 and 30 early. North wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 28. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 55. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 26. Calm wind.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 56. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
- Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 35. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph.
- Friday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 63.
- Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 45.
- Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 65.
- Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41.
- Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 61.
Featured Recipe: Chocolate Mice
December 5, 2010
This weekend’s featured recipe from Janet Tharpe is a “Chocolate Mice”, a fun and easy idea with just four simple ingredients and a few easy steps. Kids of all ages will have fund making (and eating) these decorative delights.
To print today’s “Just a Pinch” recipe column, you can click the image below to load a printable pdf with a recipe card.
Flomaton Christmas Parade Photo Gallery, Video
December 5, 2010
Hundreds enjoyed the annual Flomaton Christmas Parade “The Wonder of Christmas Morning” Saturday morning.
The parade rolled through the streets of Flomaton with the Flomaton High School band plus floats, twirlers and more from across the area. The parade was highlighted by appearance by Santa Claus.
The float from Faith Bible Baptist Church won first place.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the parade, click here. For a video, click below.
Pictured above: Santa Claus make an appearance Saturday morning during the Flomaton Christmas Parade. Pictured below: The Flomaton High School Band. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Chase Elliot — Catches, Chases And Wins Snowflake 100
December 5, 2010
Watch closely. Chase Elliott is ready to amaze at any moment.
A teenage sensation in every sense of the word, Elliott has only been racing for seven of his 15 years.
But each time he climbs into one of his trademark No. 9 cars, the improbable seems likely for the son of NASCAR legend Bill Elliott.
It happened again in the Snowflake 100 on Saturday night at Five Flags Speedway.
Elliott started 31st out of 36 cars. When it was over, he wildly swung the checkered flag above his head as water, Red Bull and the crowd’s roar washed over him.
“It really shows how hard we worked for this,” said Elliott, who assumed the lead on Lap 86. “To have as many problems today … and to comeback, I’m just thankful.”
Elliott started near the tail end of the field after winning one of two last-chance qualifiers earlier Saturday. That was only necessary after he was disqualified following qualifying because officials ruled the nose of his car was too low.
None of it mattered. In fact, some of Elliott’s rivals thought the afternoon race might have helped him.
“He saw what was working,” said Bubba Pollard, who moved from third to second after Landon Cassill was disqualified in post-race inspection. “He’s a good little race-car driver, though.”
The good little race-car driver methodically made his way from the back of the pack while Augie Grill comfortably led for more than 70 laps (7 to 78).
Elliott began to lean on the throttle a little bit more at the midway point, as he cracked the top 10.
Then, he just began embarrassing drivers, especially coming out of Turn 4 where he shined.
He mowed down Pensacola’s Johanna Long, who finished a disappointing 13th after running in the top five early. He did away with today’s Snowball Derby polesitter Cale Gale.
Before you knew it, Elliott was up to fifth by Lap 70.
“I don’t believe it. The longer it went, the better he got,” papa Bill said.
The younger Elliott caught a burst of speed on Dwayne Buggay for third on Lap 78.
A lap later, Pollard past Grill for the lead, but the kid wasn’t far from making his final move.
“We had a good car; we just missed a little bit,” Pollard said. “I think I raced to hard at the beginning with Augie, but that’s how he races.”
After being the class of the field early, Grill fell back to sixth by the Snowflake’s end.
Long felt the sting of defeat, too, because the handling of her car continued to get worse as the race rolled on.
“It’s disappointing,” she said. “I expected so much.”
The expectations will culminate in today’s 43rd annual running of the Derby, America’s most prestigious short-track race.
It has been, unquestionably, a messy weekend out at Five Flags with some vicious crashes.
The Pro Late Models, though, proved their mettle by running green for the opening 34 laps before the first yellow came out. Dillon Oliver nudged Pensacola’s Tommy Rollins into the Turn 2 wall.
There was just one other yellow the rest of the way, as the race finished in a blazing time of right at an hour.
Nothing was as fast as Elliott, though.
“I thought at one point we were too loose,” he said.
Too loose? Now, that’s amazing.
Jack Myrell Bragg
December 5, 2010
Jack Myrell Bragg, 77, Jay, FL, died Thursday, December 02, 2010, at Gateway Medical Center Clarksville, TN. The funeral will be held at 1 PM Tuesday at Jay Funeral Home with Rev. Larry Doster, Rev. Virginia Beckham, and Brother-In-Law Sonny Ward officiating. Burial will be in Pine Level Baptist Church Cemetery with Full Military Honors and Full Masonic Rites. Visitation will be from 6-8 PM Monday at Jay Funeral Home and from 12 PM until the hour of service Tuesday at Jay Funeral Home.
Jack was born on October 10, 1933 in Elba, Alabama to the late Coston Deroe Bragg and Argie Ruth Shiver.
He was preceded in death by first wife, Donnie Ruth Bragg, and a brother, Gerald Bragg.
He was of the Baptist Faith and a Retired MSGT from the United States Air Force. He was a retired professor from The University of West Florida, a member and former treasurer with the Hadji Shrine, a member of the American Legion Post 121, and the Jay Masonic Lodge 176. He was an elected official for the Soil and Water Conservation Board and the Three Rivers Conservation Board in Santa Rosa County, Florida.
Survivors include wife, Donna Ward Bragg of Jay, FL; daughter, Cynthia Diane Baggett (Johnny) of Jay, FL; son, Scott Anthony Bragg of Pace, FL; sister, Angeline Andrews (Bob) of Jay, FL; and sister-in-law, Carolyn Bragg. He had five grandchildren: John David Baggett (Christy), Jessica Posey (Scot), Tyler Bragg, Michael Bragg, and Kathryn Baggett and five great-grandchildren: Taylor Baggett, Taegan Baggett, Jordan Posey, Ty Posey, and Jenna Posey and special dog, Molly.
U.S. Military will serve as pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Hadji Shrine Transportation Fund.
Arrangements entrusted to Jay Funeral Home, 3853 Highway 4, Jay, FL 32565.
4 North Escambia Residents Seriously Injured In Crash
December 4, 2010
Four Cantonment and Molino residents were seriously injured in a wreck Friday night on Pine Forest Road in Cantonment.
The Florida Highway Patrol said Daniel Lamar Brown, 37, of Molino was southbound on Pine Forest Road near Copper Ridge Road in a 1998 Ford pickup when he crossed the center line and entered the northbound lane into the path of another pickup at 8:46 p.m. Friday.
Brown and his passenger, Judy Renee McCrory, 64, of Cantonment, were seriously injured when they were ejected from their truck. The driver of that truck and passenger Kyle Mason Driver, 18, of Cantonment, were trapped in their vehicle. Firefighters were forced to use the Jaws of Life to free them. Both were listed in critical condition. The FHP has identified the driver of the second truck has having the last name Porter, with an unknown first name and age.
Driver was transported by LifeFlight to Sacred Heart Hospital, while Brown and Porter were transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart. McCrory was transported by ambulance to Baptist Hospital.
Charges and alcohol results are pending in the crash. None of the four victims were wearing seat belts, according to the FHP.
For more photos from the scene, click here.
The Pine Forest Road and Copper Ridge intersection is between West Roberts Road and Nine Mile Road, near the Pine Forest Assembly of God Church.
Pictured above and below: For North Escambia residents were injured in this two vehicle wreck Friday night on Pine Forest Road at Copper Ridge Road. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
